Ginger honey affects cortisol, estrogen and glutathione levels; preliminary study to target preconceptional women

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study was aimed to determine the effect of ginger honey supplementation on cortisol, glutathione, and estrogen levels. The study was conducted on mice that had not yet experienced conception, and prior stress induction was carried out so that they could be continued for human trials at the preconception stage and subjects who experienced mild stress. Method: It was an in vivo study, pretest–posttest control group design. The sample of this study was 2–3 months female Balb/c mice, divided into negative control and ginger honey intervention as much as 28 mg/20 g BW for 14 days—the ELISA method used to examine cortisol hormone, glutathione levels, and estrogen levels. The mice chosen were those that had never experienced conception, and before the intervention, swimming activities were carried out on the mice until they showed symptoms of stress. Results: Results show 42 mg/20 g BW of ginger honey administration for 14 days increased 1.892 ng/dl of cortisol (p = 0.165), increased 2.438 ng/dl of glutathione (p = 0.002), and also increased 22.754 ng/ml estrogen levels in induced stress Balb/c female mice (p = 0.001). Conclusion: Ginger honey did not affect reducing cortisol levels but increasing glutathione and estrogen levels significantly. Ginger honey supplements are the potential to use as complementary therapies. (AU)